Scientist Emil O. Deere
(Deere & Lydia's Bethany -- Lydia's Photography, 1906 - 1925)
- To remember this Swedish American "Bethany College Building" is to remember the "Bethany Family" of its era. -
The beautiful two-story building, with impressive Greek columns facing Swensson Street, south and west of the main building . . . *
(Deere & Lydia's Bethany -- Lydia's Photography, 1906 - 1925)
- To remember this Swedish American "Bethany College Building" is to remember the "Bethany Family" of its era. -
The beautiful two-story building, with impressive Greek columns facing Swensson Street, south and west of the main building . . . *
Bethany College "Carnegie Library" / "Bethany Library"
1908 - 1980
The building of the Bethany College Library was a pet project of Swensson’s successor, colleague and close friend, Swedish American Dr. Rev. Ernst Pihlblad, who was as Swedish American Bethany College President Dr. Emory Lindquist's 1975 Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college, writes on page 42, " . . . the one who was closest to Dr. Swensson during the latter's upbuilding of Bethany, the one most intimately touched with the spirit and the inspiration which the late president sought to weld into its every part . . ."
Lindquist continues on page 45:
"An early emphasis by President Pihlblad was to improve the library facilities and the book collection. The two rooms in the main building and the collection of 8,000 volumes were inadequate for achieving the purposes of the College. Pihlblad presented the needs and plans for the library to the Carnegie Corporation, which through the generous benefactions of Andrew Carnegie made possible extensive resources for colleges and communities. College officials were pleased to announce at the Conference meeting in 1907 that a gift of $20,000 had been received from the Carnegie Corporation for a library building. Architectural plans for the building were drawn by Hare and Smith, Iola, Kansas. C. F. Rosin, Lindsborg contractor, was engaged as the builder. The structure was occupied during the summer of 1908 and dedicated with appropriate festivities when the Kansas Conference met in Lindsborg in April, 1909. The beautiful two-story building, with impressive Greek columns facing Swensson Street, south and west of the main building, provided space for 20,000 volumes, two large reading rooms and one small reading room, facilities for the meetings of literary societies, space for art classes, and offices for the president and treasurer. Although extra funds for books were in short supply, a special effort had raised money so that 500 new volumes were added by the time the library was formally dedicated. The Carnegie Library continued to serve the College until 1970 when the library building in the Wallerstedt Learning Center was occupied."
Lindquist continues on page 45:
"An early emphasis by President Pihlblad was to improve the library facilities and the book collection. The two rooms in the main building and the collection of 8,000 volumes were inadequate for achieving the purposes of the College. Pihlblad presented the needs and plans for the library to the Carnegie Corporation, which through the generous benefactions of Andrew Carnegie made possible extensive resources for colleges and communities. College officials were pleased to announce at the Conference meeting in 1907 that a gift of $20,000 had been received from the Carnegie Corporation for a library building. Architectural plans for the building were drawn by Hare and Smith, Iola, Kansas. C. F. Rosin, Lindsborg contractor, was engaged as the builder. The structure was occupied during the summer of 1908 and dedicated with appropriate festivities when the Kansas Conference met in Lindsborg in April, 1909. The beautiful two-story building, with impressive Greek columns facing Swensson Street, south and west of the main building, provided space for 20,000 volumes, two large reading rooms and one small reading room, facilities for the meetings of literary societies, space for art classes, and offices for the president and treasurer. Although extra funds for books were in short supply, a special effort had raised money so that 500 new volumes were added by the time the library was formally dedicated. The Carnegie Library continued to serve the College until 1970 when the library building in the Wallerstedt Learning Center was occupied."
- Dean Deere with some of his Bethany Graduates -
- Dean Deere Greeting Them -
* * *
- To remember this Swedish American "Bethany College Building" is to remember the "Bethany Family" of its era. -
* * *
"Bethany Library"
Above the Greek Columns
- Lydia's girls on the steps of the Carnegie Library taking their photographs -
* * *
Dr. P. T. Berg
Donor of a large and valuable collection of Swedish Books to Bethany College Library in 1901
Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Carnegie Works
Donor of a large and valuable collection of Swedish Books to Bethany College Library in 1901
Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Carnegie Works
Source: "Forget-Me-Not" Annual 1902
* * *
To remember the "Bethany College Buildings" that are gone is to remember the "Bethany Family" of their era.
So let us remember them!
* * *
To remember the "Bethany College Buildings" that are gone is to remember the "Bethany Family" of their era.
So let us remember them!
* * *
For the next Bethany College Building, Bethany College "Bethany Academy" 1882 -- Swensson's Bethany's Beginnings, go HERE.
* * *
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
